Best Mosquito Repellents

In the Spanish-American War in 1898, the United States lost 297 soldiers in battle, and over 2000 to yellow fever--a disease later found to be carried by mosquitoes! Even though yellow fever is no longer the scourge that it used to be, there are still other mosquito-borne illnesses. There’s no question that mosquitoes can be much more than just a nuisance when trying to camp or to enjoy the outdoors.

Getting rid of mosquitoes is a difficult and formidable task. Fortunately, they have a lot of vulnerabilities as well. There are many mosquito repellents, both using natural and chemical ingredients, that are effective in keeping mosquitoes away. You’ll find repellents that you wear in the form of a bracelet or patch. There are also repellents that you can apply to your skin. Another option is a repellent that you can spray in your yard or garden, or in pools of water, where mosquitoes tend to lay eggs.

We’ve composed this buyer’s guide to help you make the right decision when selecting a mosquito repellent. It'll help you:

• Choose the right type of mosquito repellent,

• See useful tips about that particular type of mosquito repellent,

• Read reviews of different mosquito repellents, and what customers are saying,

• Select the right brand of mosquito repellent, and

• Compare prices and find the best deals.

We can classify mosquito repellent products by their active ingredients:

• DEET: This is a chemical used by the US Army during World War II. DEET is a very common insect repellent--mosquitoes either dislike the smell, or the smell dissuades them from biting. Some are wary of using DEET, however, because it should n’t be applied underneath clothing, where it can remain on the skin for a long time. It might cause irritation in some people.

• Natural, essential oils: There are a number of essential oils, such as citronella (derived from the lemongrass plant), used as mosquito repellent. Citronella is a proven, natural, and primarily safe mosquito repellent. Other products use lavender, eucalyptus, peppermint, and even garlic.

These active ingredients have been employed in a number of forms of mosquito repellent products:

• Incense sticks and candles: There are incense sticks and candles infused with citronella, such as those offered by the company Mosquito Repellent or Repel.   The sticks are made from bamboo, and also contain grapefruit peel extract.

Mosquito Repellent incense

• Liquid spray repellent: The company Mosquito Barrier utilizes garlic juice in their formula, which is a liquid spray that you can safely apply to plants and standing water in your yard or garden. The smell dissipates in about an hour, and becomes unnoticeable to humans--but mosquitoes are still repulsed by the smell--for up to 4 weeks!

• Bracelets and patches: Some companies, such as SelpHbalance, make bracelets, bands, and patches that are infused with essential oils, such as lavender, eucalyptus, peppermint, and citronella. Each bracelet is able to protect you for up to 10 days.  

SelpHbalance Mosquito Repellent Bracelets

• Wipes: Repel is a brand of insect repellents, who makes products in aerosol and spray form. One of their products is wipes--much like baby wipes, but with only 15 towelettes in a package--containing 30% DEET. This is the maximum concentration of DEET that is still considered to be safe, even on children.

• Period of effectiveness: Check for how long the repellent will be effective. For example, the garlic oil-based Mosquito Barrier Liquid Spray Repellent is supposed to be effective for as much as 4 weeks! You dilute 12 ounces of the substance in a gallon of water and let a fogging machine spray it around your garden or backyard.  

• Odorless: Despite using essential oils in their product, the SelpHbalance’s bracelets are odorless products.

• Saves money from professional help: Some customers were pleased with the Mosquito Barrier repellent--they found it an effective substitute for calling an extermination company that would charge as much as $1500 for a season’s treatment.

• Safe for humans and animals: People may be reluctant to use compounds that will repel beneficial insects as well. The Mosquito Barrier repellent will not repel bees or butterflies from your garden--you’ll probably want them, for the benefits they bring in pollinating flowers.

• Can work in repelling a number of biting insects: The Repel wipes are effective against other insects as well, including sand flies, no-see-ums (biting midges), gnats, ticks, fleas, and more.

• Products primarily for outdoor use: Repel’s candles and foggers are suitable for outdoor use, such as at a campsite. You can light their citronella candle, and let it burn for as much as 4 hours. The citronella smell will effectively repel insects--but it’s not recommended for indoor use.

• Applying in water: Mosquitoes lay eggs in water--so it is essential that you treat any stagnant water in your yard or garden. There are a number of products that recommend mixing the formula with canola oil and putting it in flower beds or small bodies of water. The oil creates a film over the water, which keeps the mosquito larvae from reaching the surface of the water. This kills mosquitoes even before they reach adulthood.

Mosquito Barrier--is a product manufactured by Garlic Research Labs, in Glendale, California. They make garlic-based repellents against mosquitoes, gnats, ticks, ants, and other insect pests.

Ecohu--are makers of mosquito-repellent incense sticks. The incense is infused with citronella, which is a natural mosquito repellent. The smoke from the incense is effective well after you extinguish the incense.

FirstChoice--make non-toxic mosquito-repellent bracelets. The microfiber bracelets contain natural oils and scents that repel mosquitoes.

Repel--is a brand of the company Spectrum Brands. Spectrum Brands make products for pets, home & garden, hardware and home equipment, and more. Repel are makers of personal bug repellents and campsite products.

SelpHbalance--make bracelets that contain mosquito repellent. The bracelets are suitable for children, pets, and adults. Other products of SelpHbalance include pH meters for pool water and drinking water, urinalysis strips, and more.